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mark doesn’t get it.
he’s about to be a music major graduate, for god’s sake. top of the class, well-respected, all that jazz ( literally —he’s a saxophone player, too). he’s endured ruthless band directors that could make Whiplash seem like a joke. countless scores ring throughout his memory, a product of the perseverance running through his nature. sleepless nights are his best friend, scattered papers and pieces around the apartment as evidence of his journalism minor sticking close to him.
so why can he not put donghyuck into words?
his scent, for one thing, is something he can’t begin to describe. mark thinks no amount of peer reviews or late-night studying could help him.
though intoxicating certainly didn’t do it justice, it’s the best he could come up with. it’s fruity, like the blackcurrant that flutters by when he’s kissing him like it’s the end of the world. it’s also floral, like the geranium that wafts from his hair after he gets out of the shower. and yet it’s earthy at the same time, like the cedarwood that sticks to mark’s sweatshirts when donghyuck steals them.
perfume? mark disagrees. despite donghyuck’s hefty collection of them, mark argues that the omega is fragrance incarnate. all that is pleasing, sure, but it’s a liquid spritz that’s temporary. donghyuck is ambrosia, addictive and heavenly.
so as he paces around the room with water bottle in hand for said omega, he can’t help but breathe in the same familiar, yet comforting scent. he sets it down on the nightstand, glancing over the sheets to see a cute clump of hair snoozing away. mark knows he’s the exact reason why this sleeping bear has been in hibernation for so long, and he turns red thinking about it.
his mind wanders in an attempt to distract himself from the… activities they had a few hours ago. it lands on their first meeting, the first tug of their red string.
sophomore year. graduate school. chenle wasn’t kidding when he introduced the term “sophomore slump” to mark, he was cooped up in his room, wallowing over a likely failed test. consumed in wrong numbers realized too late and written answers recognized too mediocre, he was spending the day drowning in his own rendition of R&B, aptly titled “Regret and Blues”.
so a party? that was most certainly the last thing he needed. when chenle invited him, he scowled and almost immediately shut the door in his face.
but it seemed like the party animal that was his roommate certainly wouldn’t take no for an answer. he hears even louder knocking interrupt his depressive frank ocean session again. mark winces, letting seconds pass by; if slamming the door wasn’t enough, then he’d simply have to turn a blind eye to chenle altogether.
‘mark, if your petty ass is ignoring me again, i’m not going out to eat with you again.’
his patience snaps. he resentfully opens the door to chenle tapping his foot like an impatient rabbit, face unimpressed.
‘you don’t go with me anyways. you broke our promise last time.’
chenle groans as he crosses his arms. ‘mark, you haven’t left the room in days.’
mark remembers his nagging all too well.
‘i just failed a test, chenle. sue me for wanting alone time. i’m not even bothering you.’
‘but you are bothering me. because this?’ chenle gestures his hands in a circular motion around mark’s disheveled figure. ‘this is ruining my quality time knowing that you’re not having quality time. frankly, i’d leave you to figure it out by yourself, but the host at the party is really cute and only allows you in if you bring a plus one. so you’re obligated to go with me.’
‘no.’
‘lunch on me for the week?’
mark sighs. ‘chenle, stop–’
‘i’ll get you that deluxe version of the blonde album.’
‘...’
how mark got ready and plopped down at the entrance of this supposedly cute host’s house (whose name was jeno), he couldn’t tell you. what he could tell you instead was how he saw a pretty head of hair sitting in the lounge area, pout adorning his heart-shaped face.
mark thinks it was this pretty face that had him stuttering for his number. hook, line, and sinker, and mark took the bait. reeled in by the moles dotting his face, much like the stars he took donghyuck to see on their first date.
donghyuck thinks it was the longing gaze that seemed to gaze straight into his soul. odd, because while his eyes sported unwavering confidence, his demeanor certainly betrayed that first impression. he laughed to himself when he noticed mark’s hands go clammy after giving his phone to him.
mark finds peace in reminiscing, especially as he types away late at night, finishing emails from nervous undergraduates seeking his advice. he sees his younger self in these back-and-forth interactions with them, back when mark was a nervous wreck for presentations and donghyuck encouraged him to try out public speaking for a class.
the awkward meetings they set up with him remind him of when he accidentally tipped over donghyuck’s drink during one of their earliest dates. he still cringes at the memory somewhat; him bowing and apologizing profusely to the managers was something donghyuck never failed to bring up whenever he got the chance.
their shared apartment is quiet, save for the low humming of the a.c. donghyuck loves (even though he’s always under the blankets? mark doesn’t comment). something shuffles, and mark stops and looks over his shoulder. he knows it all too well, a routine like the back of his hand. he can hear the soft sniffles that always accompany donghyuck whenever he stirs awake, and this time is no exception.
mark yawns, getting up and saving his work before shutting off his laptop, quietly slipping into the sheets and instinctively wrapping his hand around donghyuck’s wrist. it’s the one spot donghyuck always likes to be held–whether that’s in private or in public.
so unbelievably endearing , mark thinks.
donghyuck has spoken to him about it before. says he feels grounded whenever he’s held there by him, safe and sound. it made mark kiss him silly when he kept nervously rambling about it.
“mel…?” a quiet voice speaks out, groaning from the grogginess of sleep.
“i’m here, hyuck,” mark replies, brushing donghyuck’s messy bangs poking his eyes before softly slipping his hand through his hair.
the omega hums at that, scooting closer to him in response. “what time is it?”
“3:30.”
donghyuck doesn’t reply back, no thanks to the sleepiness still enveloping him. they laid there for a while, mark’s thumb caressing donghyuck’s wrist and donghyuck scooting closer to him for warmth.
a comfortable silence settles between them, an instance only the two of them are in tune with. the room is mixed with their scents, like milk and cookies, chocolate and honey. mark starts counting the moles on donghyuck’s sleepy face, wishing he could repeat these specific moments in limbo.
donghyuck is the first one to break the dead air, shuffling around to rub his eyes and properly stretch. “a.m. or p.m.?”
mark thinks he could stare at his face forever and never get over him. “babe, you’re the only person who actually wakes up at both times, and it honestly concerns me.” donghyuck playfully glares at mark and sticks his tongue out; not even he can refute that statement. the ungodly hours he’s been up playing video games needs to be studied, seriously. mark hypothesizes it’s the computer science degree running through his blood.
he rests his hand on donghyuck’s cheek and continues, “but it’s a.m. you were out for a bit.”
“and who’s fault is that?” he pokes mark’s chest tauntingly, cracking a slight smirk.
he never fails to poke some fun at the latter. it’s a playful song between them, toeing the lines between a happy score and a romantic piece. it works every time, too. mark flares up immediately, groaning from being reminded of what just happened a few hours ago.
donghyuck notices. always does, because he knows he has mark wrapped around his finger. “geez, you’re redder than i was when i–”
mark cups his hand over donghyuck’s mouth, muffling whatever obscene scenario he was about to recall. “you’re such a brat, hyuck. don’t finish that sentence, please.”
donghyuck laughs, swinging his leg over mark’s waist and propping himself up. the omega’s body temperature is unbelievably hot, a perpetual sauna resting on his chest right now. anyone could tell he’s in heat with how much he’s sweating and how his scent is permeating throughout the room. and if that’s not enough evidence, the love bites scattered around his exposed neck easily tell the rest of the story.
mark offers him the water bottle, who gladly accepts. the air of silence returns as mark looks up at him and—god, he doesn’t think he’s ever seen anyone this gorgeous, so carefully sculpted by whatever deity blessed him. donghyuck is so, so pretty and mark thinks if he asked for the world, the alpha would rush to get it double-time. even as donghyuck is stuck in this drunken-like stupor right now, mark wants to drown in him.
he sits up and gently places his hand on donghyuck’s cheek, giving him the slightest peck that he swears the omega chases when he pulls away. “you feel better?”
“mhm. think most of it’s gone. feelin’ hungry now,” donghyuck slurs, mixing his words with the yawn that escapes him.
indeed, there are clear, telltale signs pointing towards him being in heat. however, aside from those, donghyuck’s heat is a little different.
his heat isn’t gone. he is still very much in a dazed headspace and needs mark. but when the begging, lust-driven part of him is gone, all that’s left to take care of is a cuddly, sulky, and cute donghyuck. like he’s shed one part of the heat off and there’s another layer to get through, only this time, it’s more on the soft side. of course, if donghyuck still wants or needs mark to cool him down during this time, he’ll give him it, but most of the time, it’s more romantic sex than heat sex if anything.
donghyuck admits he should have told mark about it before, not during their first heat together. the alpha woke up to a raging heat hugging his back, long after his heat was meant to go away by now.
mark knows the general info about an omega’s heat. it’s normal for them to have shorter or longer heat cycles than average because it simply varied on a case-by-case basis. but an omega who’s heat lingers even after they’re supposed to cool down could spell major issues with their hormones and body processes.
he instantly sits up from the bed and takes off the covers. donghyuck has already been awake, slightly startled from the sudden movement. he’s only wearing mark’s shirt and a spare pair of briefs.
‘good morn–’
‘donghyuck, oh my god, are you okay? i-i thought it was over already, babe.’ mark is clutching his wrist oh so tenderly. donghyuck seriously thinks about feigning sickness to continue this. ‘did i do something wrong? did something happen last night? not enough water or food? i promise i’ll bring more next time, really.’
donghyuck just stares at him, thoughts in half disbelief and half amusement. he’s never heard such a concerned alpha. yet here mark lee is, pleading, laying his worries out bare in front of the omega, a desperate man dying of thirst and his only oasis is donghyuck. the hand on his wrist moves to touch his forehead and donghyuck swears the heat radiating from him has just gotten hotter.
‘are you okay, donghyuck?’ he worriedly repeats when the omega blankly stares at his face.
it’s 6 seconds before donghyuck giggles like a fool and opens his mouth. mark counts each one.
donghyuck lightly tugs on mark’s shirt and grins. ‘you said next time.’
‘what?’
‘you said you’ll bring some next time.’ donghyuck leans over and pecks mark’s arm. the alpha’s panicking brain has to reel his flustering heart back in before it gets too much.
mark realizes his words and stammers, ‘oh shit, i’m sorry–’
‘then can you bring more barley tea next time? it was so good. helped with the heat. you know, the temperature part and all that.’ donghyuck stretches his limbs, grabbing mark’s arm and pulling him down to cuddle into his chest more.
‘donghyuck, that’s not what’s important right now. your heat–’
‘but it’s not that important, i promise. what matters right now is you’re taking care of me, no? i’ll tell you all about it later. i don’t need it anymore but–’ donghyuck holds him tighter and gets on top of mark’s chest. ‘–god, i feel like i’m gonna die if you don’t knot me again, so come closer.’
and if you asked donghyuck if this was the moment where he knew forever was with this alpha who was so willing to help despite his confusion, well, that was nobody’s business.
mark still doesn’t really understand it. something about the omega being a late bloomer when presenting put his heat cycle out of sync with itself? it’s a heavily prolonged period compared to others which comes with the side effect of tiring both of them out even more. he shook his head, putting those questions into the back of his mind. his first priority is donghyuck and donghyuck only right now.
“you want me to order something? or i can microwave some of the leftover kimchi jjigae from last night?”
donghyuck hums and furrows his eyebrows, as if the choices would decide the fate of the universe. mark would happily let him do whatever. his universe is already in front of him.
“leftovers.”
mark smiles, his other hand gliding under donghyuck’s shirt—mark’s shirt, actually—and gently holding his waist. “okay, pretty. you want to stay in bed or do you want me to carry you to the kitchen to watch?”
mark knows his answer already with the way donghyuck gets off his body and reaches his hand out before he even speaks. the former grins and stands, intertwining their fingers together.
“mark, you’re so cheesy. oh my god,” donghyuck groans, clearly directed towards the way the alpha’s hand takes his own like a prince.
“what, i can’t lovingly hold my mate’s hand while getting food?”
“we are ten steps away from the kitchen and you treat it like a red carpet.”
“well, you’re the only one worthy of stepping on it, so yeah, i’ve gotta bust it out sometimes.”
donghyuck’s eyes widen and he has to look away from the sudden praise. more red slowly creeps up on his neck despite his heat already doing the job for him.
“so unfair…” donghyuck whines, letting himself be pulled out of their room.
mark sits him down on a stool that watches him over the counter. donghyuck knows he’s just heating leftovers, but there’s something about mark’s utter presence in the kitchen that needs his full attention just in case something goes wrong.
donghyuck yawns again and watches mark patiently. “how’s your final rehearsal going?”
“don’t remind me about it. that director is gonna make me go insane” mark rolls his eyes, pulling out a plastic bag from the fridge. he scowls just trying to think about the stress.
“so insane you can’t even remember their name?” donghyuck laughs, swinging his legs.
“i have no idea what’s wrong with this university’s music department, seriously.” mark starts the microwave as he voices his grievances. “one day it’s a director who breaks their bone, and another day it’s a different one caught for tax evasion. oh, and don’t even get me started on the other one who got caught having sex with the orchestra conductor.”
donghyuck hears a hefty sigh from the other side of the counter as he hums in response. “i feel bad for anyone who’s not first chair like you. gives you some leeway, at least.”
“trust me, first chairs aren’t spared from torture.” a reheated bowl of delicious kimchi jjigae is set in front of donghyuck while mark turns back to the fridge. “but enough about that. how about your final comp sci project?”
a stressed groans—something mark finds no surprise in receiving. “i seriously think my group couldn’t follow through even if they had the instructions laid out for them…”
and it goes like this every time.
“how was the competition?”
“did you do good on the exam?”
“are you stressed for the lab?”
“brought you a drink for finals.”
“you’ll do great, always.”
“you nervous? don’t be.”
“regardless of what happens, i’ll cheer for you.”
“you know yourself best, no one else knows you better than you.”
this lazy pattern is just for the two of them, a beat only they can step to when night runs late and when dawn peeks its head. to them, these are the times they can settle down and unveil raw, unfiltered moments to each other.
away from the bustling life of jazz concerts or the fast pace of a project presentation, mark wishes he could cling to donghyuck like this every moment. when his voice doesn’t sound like dripping honey, mark thinks he embodies it during their routine late time together. the omega tends more towards going with the flow, like the times he lets himself be dragged by mark to whatever date night he plans.
the small talk and the quips that come from it are customary by now, whether that’s during heat or rut or any time out of it, as if only they know how to bask in it.
in fact, mark thinks their love is so raw that the first time chenle came by to drop off mark’s things at donghyuck’s apartment, he had to pull the latter aside.
‘hyuck, gonna order something later. you want anything?’
donghyuck peeks his head out of their newly shared bedroom. ‘the usual. oh, and–’
‘yeah, i got the barley tea you wanted. oh, and the beer from the restaurant you liked the last time. also picked up the face mask we both wanted to try.’
mark only hears a satisfied mumble before he hears the rearranging of various knick knacks in their room.
it’s only when chenle coughs not-so-naturally that mark finally stops his unpacking and looks up at him. ‘you guys… seriously. i’m leaving. you disgust me.’
mark rolls his eyes as he sets down the moving box. ‘what did i do? aren’t you the same with jeno?’
chenle fake gasps. ‘don’t compare us with your lovey-dovey lives, okay? we are strictly casual. you ever heard of that? strictly. casual.’ he jabs his pointer finger into mark’s chest as he enunciates every syllable. ‘i can’t even look at you two without getting hit in the face with even a fraction of the domesticity you both have when you see each other.’
‘is him princess carrying you to his apartment while you were drunk out of your mind strict nowadays?’ mark raises his eyebrow. ‘and i assume you cuddling him after taking a bath together is the casual part, too?’
‘how the hell do you–’
‘i screenshotted your messages to me that night. for blackmail purposes. now help me lift this.’
chenle groans bitterly, having lost this back-and-forth this time. he definitely thinks mark has been rubbing off of donghyuck too much.
“hello… earth to markgeolli?”
donghyuck’s snapping fingers break mark’s daydream of the past.
“seriously, what are you thinking about sometimes?” donghyuck leans over the counter as he playfully pokes his cheek.
mark chuckles. “take a wild guess.”
“you’re so attracted to me, it’s insane.”
the alpha laughs to himself as he cleans up the area. he glances at the clock on the wall, a bold ‘4:30 A.M.’ staring him in the face. he sighs as he sees donghyuck finishing the last of the leftovers. finally, they can both go back to bed, he can cuddle up with the love of his life, and they can have a productive start to the day tomorrow–
“mark.” donghyuck slurps up the last of the kimchi jjigae and sets it down triumphantly. “i want to bake a cake.”
the alpha always jinxes this type of stuff, doesn’t he?
“donghyuck.”
“mm.”
“it’s 4:30. in the morning.”
“i know.”
“and you want to bake a cake… right now?”
“mhm.”
it’s like the piano has suddenly played an off-tune note, and now the entire orchestra is confused. mark counts the seconds that go by, thinking donghyuck is about to reveal another one of his outlandish jokes again. the only thing he receives is an innocent look back, brown eyes lazily gazing at him with patience.
mark awkwardly coughs, as if this interjection will magically fix the lost sense of rhythm. “donghyuck, it’s unbelievably late right now. and you just ate.”
“i know, but you don’t have practice or classes today and neither do i.” the alpha mentally groans at the sound of him saying ‘today’ . “it’s kind of rare. i wanna make the most of the day with you.”
donghyuck twirls and draws imaginary shapes with his finger on the counter as mark gulps. despite his undying and eternal love for donghyuck, he is replaying the affirmation in his head that he will not allow himself to be a pushover this time. “ the day hasn’t even started yet.”
“but i’m gonna sleep in if we go to bed right now, and then we won’t have as much time together. and you said you always wanted to try and learn cooking from me.” he can hear the whining slowly creep out of donghyuck’s voice.
it feels like donghyuck’s usual sense of reason is slipping into this impulsive thought, especially when he suddenly gets up and starts walking around the island towards mark. “oh, oh, and the milk’s gonna expire soon, anyways. might as well use it. mm, what else?”
mark grips donghyuck’s wrist before he can try anything else. he senses a fiery duet is stirring between them, and mark doesn’t want to lose to him. “donghyuck, i love you, i really do, but–”
“and it’s because you love me that you’ll do it with me, right?” donghyuck grins mischievously at him.
the latter rolls his eyes. “no, it’s because i love you so much that i won’t let you do this.”
this brave front that donghyuck definitely sees right through has mark’s brain short-circuiting in the meanwhile, running back and forth between his theories; is this donghyuck’s heat impulses kicking in, or has impulse suddenly reared its head from the tiredness the heat has made donghyuck?
there’s no time to think about that though, because donghyuck has slipped out of his hold, already at his side and pulling out flour from the lower cabinet. he’s looking at mark expectantly, like a head chef growing impatient at the prep cook.
“are you just gonna sit there and stare at me being pretty?” donghyuck exaggerates in that pretty voice of his. “or do you want me to get the eggs myself?”
oh. mark gets it. it’s not about the heat or impulsiveness or anything of the sort. donghyuck wants to irritate him.
but mark cannot budge. he can’t bend his will so easily. two can play at this game.
“we’re out of eggs, donghyuck,” he retaliates.
“there's probably a market open. we can go anytime,” donghyuck teases, flashing him a grin before digging through for more ingredients.
both of them know that beyond his taunting, donghyuck isn't serious; no sane person would be willing to go out this late, let alone to buy some eggs. it's especially true for donghyuck, who's as straightforward as he can be. still, if there's anything he'll compromise his line of reasoning for, it will most certainly be to mess with mark lee.
and heat or not, he concludes donghyuck will never shed away his sharp tongue.
he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “you’re unbelievable. nothing's open right now, unless you want to go to a 24/7 market at the dead of night?”
donghyuck laughs. he’s laughing like he knows what he’s doing is working: because it is. “then we can make one without them. there’s stuff online for it, just look it up. besides, you can’t cook, so who’s the real winner here? just follow my lead and we’ll be done with this quick. unless… you can’t do that either?”
mark’s eye twitches.
he leans back as donghyuck reaches over for the fridge. “and this whole cake thing can’t wait until the weekend?”
“is it so wrong of me to want to bake something with you, melt?” he pronounces one of mark’s many nicknames in a playfully arrogant tone.
“whatever you're trying to get at, it's too late for. aren't you tired–”
the slam of the fridge door interrupts and startles him.
“yah, mark lee,” donghyuck scoffs out, as bratty as it gets, “whatever you say, it’s too obvious. you’re really not subtle at all, you know that?”
mark sees baking powder, vanilla extract, and a sly lee donghyuck enter his vision.
“the least you could do is help me get ingredients. ah, maelk, why are you so bad at this, seriously?” he tilts his head to the side for a second and lilts his voice at the end in a higher pitch to drag out each word in an upset manner.
donghyuck knows the exact strings to pluck to irk mark’s nerves. it annoys mark that donghyuck knows how to annoy him right now, even when they both know this is the banter they’re used to. he knows if he does nothing, he will fail this section of the piece and go haywire.
nope. absolutely not.
he walks up to donghyuck still crouching besides the cabinets, looking for a measuring cup. “donghyuck, i told you, i’m not–”
donghyuck suddenly turns around and glances up at mark, and this so-called facade that he’s been pitifully keeping up starts to crack.
the position is nothing but… suggestive. he’s on his knees and his head is at mark’s hip level.
“what?” he’s looking at mark, displeased. “you’re not what?”
mark doesn’t even realize he stopped talking as he gulps and clenches his jaw. this is definitely what donghyuck was aiming for. his mind is racing a thousand thoughts, each one as vulgar as the last. for example, he could easily grab donghyuck’s head right now and–
“ah!” donghyuck claps his hands together and pulls mark back. “how about this then? since you’re so hard to please, i’ll make you a deal.”
the latter lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “shoot.”
“one cake. i’ll do anything you want in return. one thing!” donghyuck clasps his hands together desperately. mark hears the last remaining shreds of his sanity shatter when the pout he loves seeing sticks out like a sore thumb. this is what donghyuck was going for?
fuck, mark is done for, isn’t he?
“... anything?”
donghyuck finally stands up, looking straight at mark with furrowed eyebrows. he slams the large bowl in his hands onto the counter, a distinct ringing sound vibrating from it. mark doesn’t have time to react as he feels arms wrap around his shoulder and a face inching bit-by-bit into his own.
“yes, alpha , anything. in the bed or out of it, mark. and that’s not the heat talking. i’m serious.”
mark doesn’t know if the ringing in his ears is from the bowl or something else at this point. he doesn’t know if the buzzing on his lips is from donghyuck’s crashing onto his, or if the heat warming his arms is from surrounding donghyuck’s waist. is it just him or does he feel donghyuck tightening his hold?
he’s lost his count in the symphony and only donghyuck can lead him now.
mark knows donghyuck’s not exactly being truthful right now. the heat does have a significant effect on his behavior, and this time is no different. yet, mark obliges, because he knows that once donghyuck resolves his mind on something, he’ll get it.
because that’s the donghyuck he has always been with: full of commitment, full of determination, full of dedication. mark understands there’s some semblance of truth to his words because his heat could never hold a candle to the passion that ignites when he has his heart set on anything. he’s always alight, flaring with devotion so mesmerizing even the sun would bow its head to him.
and mark? call him foolish, irrational, ridiculous, whatever; he’ll always consider himself icarus regardless.
he slides his hands underneath donghyuck’s shirt, feeling absurdly hot skin against his own. donghyuck’s reaction is a moan, so quiet it’s barely heard by mark. the alpha would love to indulge in this right now. he loves when he can get donghyuck hot and bothered, when he can peel away the defiance he constantly throws at mark.
but it takes two to tango.
he knows donghyuck is feeling the same thing as him, thinking the same thoughts he’s having. but frankly, mark knows that it’s too late for this. he knows that the last remnant of his reasonable mind points out how donghyuck has been tired ever since he finished that kimchi jjigae, ever since he noticed the omega’s eyes fluttering in and out from rummaging around to find god-knows-what. he can sense the drowsiness when donghyuck is leaning his whole body into him, like he needs a break.
so he gently grips donghyuck’s chin and pulls away. donghyuck’s clearly sulking, yet he cannot ignite the furnace this time. but it’s not without compromise.
“then i’ll take you up on the deal. under the condition that you watch me bake the cake.”
donghyuck frowns and gives him a confused look. “aren’t you getting a favor from me? since when are you calling the shots here?”
“because,” mark says, unwrapping his arms from donghyuck and gripping one of his wrists instead, “you’re tired. and you get to watch me fail at baking instead, so you get a free comedy show.”
donghyuck hums. of course he knows mark realizes he’s tired. his attempt at deescalating the tension they started themselves is proof of that. “and what do i do the entire time? watch and react like an audience member?”
“you,” mark sits him down on the stool again, “can go online and find an egg-less cake recipe while i get everything else.”
the sudden jab from donghyuck’s own retorts has the omega sticking his tongue against his cheek. he scoffs, grumbling, “fine, you win.”
mark revels in victory this time.
“but seriously, you have to make the cake and then i’ll do what you want. if it’s inedible, it doesn’t count,” donghyuck yawns out. he enters in his password wrong on his phone, eyes droopy with exhaustion lurking close behind.
“nothing to worry about, babe. just sit there and watch a master at work.”
mark looks away from donghyuck and at the counter before they… got distracted. flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and whatever baking utensils are strewn all across their kitchen. he knows the general idea of making a cake. he just needs a lot of patience with both himself and the recipe. he tidies everything up first they probably need butter. and a preheated oven. and some frosting. wait, how are they going to make the frosting?
“donghyuck, how do we make frosting?”
...
"donghyuck?" mark looks back.
he thinks donghyuck's ignoring him to get revenge on his short-lived victory earlier. what greets him instead is one who's out cold, head resting on crossed arms. he’s softly snoring, phone long abandoned to the side. mark glances over to find he only managed to get to the browser app.
well, that was quick.
mark grins, knowing his plan has succeeded. of course he’s not going to subject donghyuck to a likely drastic headache session with his “cooking”.
he walks over and pokes donghyuck’s cheek. no reaction. he takes it as a sign to pick the sleeping bear up with ease. he recognizes donghyuck is truly slumbering when he doesn’t wrap his legs around him as he sets him down in their room. the bed dips under their weight, and mark finds his hand sliding to donghyuck’s soft hair again and caressing his locks. mark can’t stop himself from grinning. donghyuck is unbearably cute.
the air of silence grows again, the duet growing to a close. but not before mark leaves short pecks on donghyuck’s fingers and a long kiss on his forehead one last time before he slips out the room.
he quietly shuts the door, making sure his steps are quiet when he approaches the kitchen again. another glimpse at the clock blares a condescending ‘5:00 A.M.’ this time. he ignores the drowsiness he feels, how his future self is likely screaming at him to dive into the bed and stay with donghyuck.
surely making an egg-less cake can’t be that difficult?
“mark, how the hell did you make a cake this dry?”
shit.